CN117545925A

CN117545925A - Nozzle for fan assembly

Info

Publication number: CN117545925A
Application number: CN202280044180.6A
Authority: CN
Inventors: P·莱利; L·鲁伊斯; S·克里福德; B·艾德蒙兹
Original assignee: Dyson Technology Ltd
Current assignee: Dyson Technology Ltd
Priority date: 2021-06-22
Filing date: 2022-05-25
Publication date: 2024-02-09
Also published as: EP4359674A1; GB2608124A; WO2022269221A1; GB2608124B; GB202108924D0; KR20240024955A; US20240271636A1

Abstract

A nozzle for a fan assembly is described. The nozzle includes a first conduit through which the first gas stream moves, the first conduit having a first outlet for discharging the first gas stream. The nozzle further includes a second conduit through which the second air stream moves, the second conduit having a second outlet for discharging the second air stream. The first and second outlets are arranged such that the first and second airflows collide to produce a combined airflow having a direction defined by the relative flow rates of the first and second airflows. The first conduit also includes a movable portion to vary the flow rate of the first gas stream.

Description

Nozzle for fan assembly

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a nozzle for a fan assembly, and a fan assembly including the nozzle.

Background

The fan assembly may include a nozzle from which the air stream is ejected. The direction of the air flow may be controlled by rotating and/or tilting the nozzle. Alternatively, the fan assembly may include a valve that is movable to change the direction of air flow from the nozzle.

Disclosure of Invention

The present invention provides a nozzle for a fan assembly, the nozzle comprising: a first conduit through which the first gas stream passes, the first conduit having a first outlet for discharging the first gas stream; and a second conduit through which the second gas stream moves, the second conduit having a second outlet for discharging the second gas stream, wherein: the first and second outlets are arranged such that the first and second airflows collide to produce a combined airflow having a direction defined by the relative flow rates of the first and second airflows, the first duct includes a portion movable to vary the size of the first outlet to vary the flow rate of the first airflow, and the portion is linearly movable along the axis.

Thus, the direction of the combined air flow ejected from the nozzle can be controlled by moving the portion of the first conduit. The portion moves linearly to vary the size of the first outlet and thereby vary the flow rate of the first gas stream. Thus, the path taken by the first air flow through the conduit is substantially the same regardless of the position of the portion. This has the advantage that the flow of the first gas stream can be varied without unduly increasing turbulence in the first gas stream.

In addition to having a portion that moves linearly to change the size of the first outlet, the nozzle may be envisioned to include a valve or other body that moves within the first conduit. The position of the valve within the conduit may then be controlled to vary the flow rate of the first gas stream. However, when the valve moves within the conduit, the airflow is forced to follow a different path. Thus, the air flow through the duct may be more turbulent. For example, gas flow separation may occur at the valve, resulting in vortex flow. Higher turbulence has several disadvantages, including increased noise and increased pressure loss. Furthermore, higher turbulence may mean that the airflow exiting the first outlet is not highly laminar and concentrated, but rather more diffuse. Which in turn can adversely affect the direction, spread and/or velocity of the combined gas flow.

With the nozzle of the present invention, the shape of the path taken by the first air stream may be substantially the same regardless of the position of the movable portion. For example, the air flow need not move around a valve or other body within the conduit. Thus, the air flow moving through the first conduit may be less turbulent. Thus, the flow rate of the first air stream can be changed without excessively increasing noise or pressure loss. Further, a more concentrated and less diffuse gas flow may be discharged from the first outlet. Thus, better control of the direction, diffusion and/or velocity of the combined gas flow may be achieved.

The flow rate of the first air stream is varied by varying the size of the first outlet. Thus, as the flow rate of the first air stream decreases, a relatively high flow rate can be maintained. This may provide better control over the direction, spread and/or velocity of the combined gas flow. Conversely, if the first outlet has a fixed size, the flow rate of the air stream ejected from the first outlet will decrease as the flow rate of the first air stream decreases. Thus, the first air stream will have a lower velocity and a higher spread at the point of impact with the second air stream. Thus, the direction, spread and/or velocity of the combined gas flow may not be well controlled.

The portion may be moveable to change the height of the first outlet. Furthermore, the width of the first outlet may be constant, i.e. the width of the first outlet may not change due to movement of the portion. This has the advantage that the width of the air flow exiting from the first outlet is not affected by the movement of the portion. Thus, the first air stream collides with the second air stream over the entire width of the second air stream. This then results in a single combined air flow moving in a uniform direction. In contrast, if the first and second airflows have different widths, the nozzle will eject a plurality of airflows moving in different directions.

The first air flow may exit on the guide body adjacent the bottom of the first outlet and the portion may define the top of the first outlet. The air flow exiting the first outlet may then adhere to the surface of the guide body. Thus, at the point where the first air stream collides with the second air stream, the first air stream may be more laminar and less turbulent. Thus, the direction, spread and/or velocity of the combined air flow exiting the nozzle may be better controlled. By defining the top of the first outlet using the movable portion, the size of the first outlet may be changed to change the flow rate of the first air stream while continuing to achieve good adhesion of the first air stream to the guide body.

The size of the second outlet may not change due to movement of the portion. Thus, the change of direction of the combined air flow can be achieved in a potentially quieter manner with less leakage and other pressure losses. Furthermore, the change of the combined air flow direction can be achieved in a less complex and thus more cost-effective manner.

The first air flow may exit the first outlet along a first flow axis, and the axis along which the portion may move may be substantially perpendicular to the first flow axis. Thus, the first air flow is discharged from the first outlet in the same direction regardless of the position of the portion. Thus, the flow rate of the first air flow can be changed without affecting or changing the discharge direction of the first air flow.

The combined air flow may be ejected from the nozzle via an opening provided in the nozzle housing, and the axis along which the portion may be moved may be substantially perpendicular to the opening.

The first and second outlets may be arranged such that the first airflow exits along a first flow axis, the second airflow exits from the second outlet along a second flow axis, and the first and second flow axes intersect at an angle between 120 degrees and 160 degrees. By arranging the outlets such that a relatively large angle of intersection is created between the two gas streams, a relatively wide range of movement in the combined gas streams can be achieved.

The portion is slidable relative to another portion of the first conduit. Thus, leakage of the first air flow moving through the first duct may be reduced. In particular, when the part is moved, an effective seal can be maintained between the part and the other part. The portion may be in sliding contact with another portion to further minimize leakage. A low friction material may be provided between the two parts to reduce noise and/or stiction as the parts move relative to one another. Alternatively, the portion may be slightly spaced from another portion. Since the portion slides linearly relative to the other portion, the size of the gap between the two portions does not change due to the movement of the portions. Thus, although a gap is provided between the two portions, the size of the gap is well controlled, and thus excessive leakage can be avoided.

The portion is slidable over the outer surface of the other portion. Thus, a labyrinth seal is formed between the portion and the other portion. In particular, the leakage path between the two sections requires the first airflow to be diverted and moved in a rearward direction in order to pass between the section and the other section. Thus, leakage of the first air flow moving through the first duct may be reduced.

The nozzle may comprise an actuator for moving the portion and the actuator may comprise an electric motor. By using an electric motor to move the portion, relatively good control of the position of the portion and thus of the direction of the combined air flow emitted from the nozzle can be achieved. In addition, the direction of the combined air flow may be remotely controlled. For example, the fan assembly may include a control unit that receives commands wirelessly from a remote device (e.g., a remote control or a mobile device running an appropriate application) and controls the actuator in response to the received commands.

The present invention also provides a nozzle for a fan assembly, the nozzle comprising: a first conduit through which the first gas stream passes, the first conduit having a first outlet for discharging the first gas stream; and a second conduit through which the second gas stream moves, the second conduit having a second outlet for discharging the second gas stream, wherein: the first and second outlets are arranged such that the first and second airflows collide to produce a combined airflow having a direction defined by the relative flow rates of the first and second airflows, the first duct comprising a portion moveable relative to the other portion to vary the flow rate of the first airflow, the portion sliding over the outer surface of the other portion.

Thus, the direction of the combined air flow emitted from the nozzle can be controlled by moving the portion of the first conduit. During movement, the portion slides over the outer surface of another portion of the first conduit. Thus, a labyrinth seal is formed between the portion and the other portion. In particular, the leakage path between the two sections requires the first airflow to be diverted and moved in a rearward direction in order to pass between the section and the other section. Thus, a relatively good seal may be maintained between the two parts when the parts are moved relative to one another.

The invention also provides a fan assembly comprising a nozzle as described in any preceding paragraph.

The portion of the first conduit is movable between a maximum flow position and a minimum flow position, and the combined gas flow emitted from the nozzle may have a first flow direction when the portion is in the maximum flow position, and a second flow direction when the portion is in the minimum flow position. The first and second flow directions may differ by at least 45 degrees. Thus, the fan assembly sprays a combined air flow whose direction can be varied over a relatively wide range of angles by moving only a portion of the first duct.

The portion of the first conduit may be movable to a position in which the flow direction of the combined air flow has an angle of between-10 degrees and +10 degrees relative to the horizontal surface when the fan assembly is resting on the horizontal surface. Thus, the fan assembly is still capable of ejecting the combined air flow in a substantially horizontal direction when resting on a horizontal surface. Thus, the fan assembly may be placed at a similar height as a user sitting or standing, and the airflow may be emitted in the general direction of the user.

When the fan assembly is resting on a horizontal surface, the first air flow may be discharged in an upward direction from the first outlet and the second air flow may be discharged in a downward direction from the second outlet. That is, the vertical components of the first and second airflows are upward and downward, respectively. Thus, by properly controlling the flow rates of the first and second airflows, the fan assembly may eject the combined airflow in a generally horizontal direction.

Drawings

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a fan assembly;

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of electrical components of the fan assembly;

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view through the center of a nozzle of the fan assembly, the nozzle being in a first configuration;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged view of a portion of the nozzle of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view through the center of the nozzle in a second configuration;

FIG. 6 is an enlarged view of a portion of the nozzle of FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a side view of the nozzle with a portion of the housing of the nozzle removed; and

fig. 8 is an enlarged view of a portion of an alternative nozzle.

Detailed Description

The fan assembly 10 of fig. 1 and 2 includes a main body 20 with a nozzle 30 attached to the main body 20.

The main body 20 includes a housing 22, a compressor 24, a control unit 26, and a wireless interface 28.

The housing 22 is generally cylindrical and houses a compressor 24, a control unit 26, and a wireless interface 28. The housing 24 includes an inlet through which the compressor 24 draws air flow into the body 20 and an outlet through which air flow is discharged from the body 20 and into the nozzle 30. In the example shown in fig. 1, the inlet includes a plurality of holes 23 formed in one side of the housing 22, and the outlet includes an annular opening (not shown) formed in the top of the housing 22.

The compressor 24 is housed within the housing 22 and includes an impeller driven by an electric motor.

The control unit 26 is responsible for controlling the operation of the fan assembly 10. The control unit 26 is connected to the compressor 24, the wireless interface 28 and the actuator 70 of the nozzle 30. The control unit 26 controls the compressor 24 and the actuator 70 in response to control data received from the wireless interface 28. For example, the control unit 26 may turn the compressor 24 on and off, control the speed of the compressor 24 and thus the flow rate of the airflow, and/or control the position of the actuator 70 and thus the direction of the airflow emitted from the fan assembly 10, as described in more detail below. The wireless interface 28 receives control data from a remote device 90 operated by a user. The remote device 90 may include, for example, a dedicated remote control or a mobile device such as a cell phone or tablet. The user can then remotely control the flow and/or direction of the airflow emitted from the fan assembly 10.

The control unit 26 may additionally include a user interface for controlling the operation of the fan assembly 10. For example, the control unit 26 may include buttons, dials, touch screens, etc. for turning the compressor 24 on and off, as well as controlling the flow and direction of the air flow.

Referring now to fig. 3-7, the nozzle 30 includes a housing 32, a first conduit 40, a second conduit 50, a guide body 60, and an actuator 70.

The housing 32 has the general shape of a truncated ellipsoid or sphere, the first truncated body forming a surface of the nozzle 30 and the second truncated body forming at least a portion of a base of the nozzle 30. The housing 32 houses the first conduit 40, the second conduit 50, and the actuator 70. The housing 32 includes an inlet 34 formed in the base of the housing 32. The inlet 34 is annular and opens into a plenum 35 or manifold also located at the base of the housing 32. The housing 32 also includes a circular opening 36 (see fig. 1) formed in the top of the housing 32.

The first and second conduits 40, 50 extend upwardly within the housing 32. In addition, the conduits 40, 50 extend upwardly from the plenum 35 on opposite sides of the housing 32. Each of the conduits 40, 50 has an inlet 41, 51 to the plenum 35.

The air flow exiting the body 20 enters the plenum 35 of the nozzle 30 via an inlet 34 in the housing 32. The gas flow then diverges. The first gas stream 45 moves through the first conduit 40 and exits the first outlet 42 at the end of the first conduit 40. The second air stream 55 then moves through the second conduit 50 and exits the second outlet 52 at the end of the second conduit 50. The first and second outlets 42, 52 are arranged such that the first and second airflows 45, 55 collide to produce a combined airflow 80. The combined air stream 80 is then ejected from the nozzle 30 via the opening 36 in the housing 32.

The guide body 60 is curved or dome-shaped and has two endsExtending between the outlets 42, 52 of the conduits 40, 50. The streams 45, 55 exiting the outlets 42, 52 are then treated by the coanda effecteffect) is attached to the surface of the guide body 60. Thus, at the point where the two airflows 45, 55 collide, the airflows 45, 55 are more laminar and less turbulent. Thus, better control over the direction, spread and/or velocity of the combined air stream 80 ejected from the nozzle 30 is achieved.

The direction of the combined air flow 80 is defined by the relative flow rates of the first and second air flows 45, 55. The direction of the combined gas stream 80 is then changed by changing the flow rate of the first gas stream 45. This is achieved by varying the size of the first outlet 42.

The first conduit 40 includes a portion 43 that is movable to change the size of the first outlet 42. The portion 43 is movable between a maximum flow position where the first outlet 42 has a maximum dimension (i.e., a maximum cross-sectional area) and a minimum flow position where the first outlet 42 has a minimum dimension (i.e., a minimum cross-sectional area). The first gas flow 45 has a maximum flow rate when the portion 43 is in the maximum flow position and the first gas flow 45 has a minimum flow rate when the portion 43 is in the minimum flow position.

Fig. 3 and 4 show the nozzle 30 with the portion 43 in a maximum flow position (maximum flow rate) and fig. 5 and 6 show the nozzle 30 with the portion 43 in a minimum flow position (minimum flow rate). By varying the position of the portion 43, the flow rate of the first air stream 45, and thus the direction of the combined air stream 80, can be varied.

The portion 43 moves linearly along the axis 46. The first air flow 45 may be said to be discharged from the first outlet 42 along a first flow axis. The portion 43 may then be moved along an axis 46 substantially perpendicular to the first flow axis. As can be seen from fig. 4 and 6, this has the advantage that the shape of the path taken by the first air flow 45 through the first duct 40 is substantially the same, regardless of the position of the portion 43. Thus, the flow rate of the first gas flow 45 can be varied without excessively increasing the turbulence of the first gas flow 45, which in turn is beneficial in terms of noise and pressure loss. Further, a more concentrated and less diffuse air stream 45 may be discharged from the first outlet 42, thereby better controlling the direction, diffusion, and/or velocity of the combined air stream 80.

As shown in fig. 3-6, the axis 46 along which the portion 43 moves is substantially perpendicular to the opening 36 formed in the housing 32 of the nozzle 30. This has the advantage that the size of the first outlet 42 can be changed without changing the alignment of the guide 60 relative to the opening 36. Thus, the point at which the two streams 45, 55 impinge is largely unaffected by the position of the portion 43, which provides better control of the combined stream 80 ejected from the nozzle 30.

In addition to linearly moving a portion of the conduit to change the size of the first outlet, the nozzle may be envisioned to include a valve or other body that moves within the first conduit. The position of the valve within the conduit may then be controlled to vary the flow rate of the first gas stream. However, when the valve moves within the conduit, the airflow is forced to follow a different path. Thus, the air flow through the duct may be more turbulent. For example, gas flow separation may occur at the valve, resulting in vortex flow. Higher turbulence has several disadvantages, including increased noise and increased pressure loss. Furthermore, higher turbulence may mean that the airflow exiting the first outlet is not highly laminar and concentrated, but rather more diffuse. Which in turn can adversely affect the direction, spread and/or velocity of the combined gas flow.

The flow rate variation of the first gas stream 45 is achieved by varying the size of the first outlet 42. Thus, as the flow of the first gas stream 45 decreases, a relatively high flow rate may be maintained. This may result in better control of the direction, spread, and/or velocity of the combined airflow 80. In contrast, if the first outlet 42 has a fixed size, the flow velocity of the air stream 45 exiting the first outlet 42 will decrease as the flow rate of the first air stream 45 decreases. Thus, the first air stream 45 will have a lower velocity and higher diffusion at the point of impact with the second air stream 55. Thus, the direction, spread, and/or velocity of the combined airflow 80 may not be well controlled.

The portion 43 is movable to vary the height of the first outlet 42. Then, the width of the first outlet 42 is not changed by the movement of the portion 43. Thus, the width of the first air stream 45 exiting the outlet 42 is unchanged. Thus, the first air flow 45 collides with the second air flow 55 over the entire width of the second air flow 55. This then results in a single combined air stream 80 moving in a uniform direction. In contrast, if the first and second airflows 45, 55 have different widths, the nozzle 30 will eject a plurality of airflows moving in different directions.

The portion 43 slides relative to the other portion 44 of the first conduit 40 when moving between the maximum flow and minimum flow positions. Thus, leakage of the first gas flow 45 moving through the first conduit 40 may be reduced. In particular, when the portion 43 is moved, an effective seal may be maintained between the portion 43 and the other portion 44. Portion 43 may be in sliding contact with another portion 44 to further reduce leakage. A low friction material may then be provided between the two portions 43, 44 to reduce noise and/or stiction as the portion 43 moves relative to the other portion 44. Alternatively, portion 43 may be slightly spaced apart from another portion 44. Since the portion 43 slides linearly relative to the other portion 44, the movement of the portion 43 does not change the size of the gap between the two portions 43, 44. Thus, although a gap is provided between the two portions 43, 44, the size of the gap is well controlled, and thus excessive leakage can be avoided.

In this particular example, portion 43 slides outside of the other portion 44. This has at least two benefits. First, a smoother, less turbulent transition is provided between the two portions 43, 44. In contrast, if portion 43 were to slide inside the other portion 44, first air flow 45 would collide with the upstream end of portion 43 as first air flow 45 moves through conduit 40. Second, a labyrinth seal is created between the two parts 43, 44. Specifically, the leakage path between the two sections 43, 44 requires the first air flow 45 to turn and move in a rearward direction in order to pass between the section 43 and the other section 44. Thus, leakage of the first air flow 45 moving through the duct 30 may be further reduced.

The first air flow 45 is discharged from the first outlet 42 in an upward direction, and the second air flow 55 is discharged from the second outlet 52 in a downward direction. Thus, the combined air stream 80 is ejected from the nozzle in a direction having a horizontal component. It can be said that the combined air flow is ejected at an angle θ with respect to the horizontal surface. In this particular example, the combined gas stream is injected at an angle of about 55 degrees relative to the horizontal surface when the portion is in the maximum flow position (fig. 3), and at an angle of about 0 degrees when the portion is in the minimum flow position (fig. 5).

The first and second outlets 42, 52 are arranged such that the two air streams 45, 55 collide at a relatively shallow angle. Thus, by varying the flow rate of the first air stream 45, a relatively wide range of movement in the combined air stream 80 can be achieved. The first air flow 45 may be said to be discharged from the first outlet 42 along a first flow axis and the second air flow 55 may be said to be discharged from the second outlet 52 along a second flow axis. In this particular example, the first flow axis and the second flow axis intersect at an angle of about 145 degrees. However, a good range of movement in the combined gas stream 80 may be achieved with an intersection angle between 120 degrees and 160 degrees.

The fan assembly 10 is capable of ejecting the combined air stream 80 in a direction that varies over a relatively wide range of angles by moving only the portion 43 of the first duct 40. Further, the fan assembly 10 is capable of ejecting the combined air flow 80 in a substantially horizontal direction when resting on a horizontal surface. Thus, the fan assembly 10 may be placed at a similar height as a user (sitting or standing), and the combined air flow 80 may be emitted in the general direction of the user.

The fan assembly 10 may be configured to eject the combined air flow over a different range of angles. For example, if the flow rate of the first air stream is higher (or lower) when the portion 43 is in the maximum flow position, the combined air stream 80 will be ejected at an angle greater than (or less than) 55 degrees relative to horizontal. Similarly, if the flow rate of first gas stream 45 is higher (or lower) when portion 43 is in the minimum flow position, then combined gas stream 80 will be ejected at an angle greater than (or less than) 0 degrees relative to the horizontal surface. As described above, the first air flow 45 is discharged upward from the first outlet 42, and the second air flow 55 is discharged downward from the second outlet 52. Thus, the direction of the combined air flow 80 may be adjusted by adjusting the spacing of the first and second outlets 42, 52, or by adjusting the angle at which the two air flows 45, 55 intersect.

For the reasons already mentioned, it is advantageous to be able to change the direction of the combined gas flow 80 over a relatively wide angular range. Accordingly, fan assembly 10 may be configured such that when portion 43 is in the maximum flow position, combined airflow 80 has a first flow direction, and when portion 43 is in the minimum flow position, combined airflow 80 has a second flow direction. The first and second flow directions may differ by at least 45 degrees. Furthermore, it may be advantageous to be able to direct the combined air flow 80 in a generally horizontal direction when the fan assembly is resting on a horizontal surface. Accordingly, the fan assembly 10 may be configured such that the portion 43 of the first duct 40 is movable to a position where the combined air flow 80 is ejected at an angle between-10 degrees and +10 degrees relative to a horizontal surface.

It is contemplated that foreign matter may fall into the nozzle 30 and enter the conduits 40, 50. Thus, the nozzle 30 includes a mesh or grid 48, 58 (see fig. 1 and 5) located immediately downstream of each outlet 42, 52 of the conduits 40, 50.

Referring now to fig. 7, portion 43 of first conduit 40 is moved by actuator 70. In this particular example, the actuator 70 includes a rack 71 and a pinion (not shown), such as a stepper motor, driven by a motor 72. The rack 71 is attached to the portion 43 of the first conduit 40. The portion 43 moves up and down the support shaft 74 in response to rotation of the pinion by the motor 72. The actuator 70 further comprises a position sensor 75 (e.g. a potentiometer or an optical sensor) for sensing the position of the rack 71 relative to the pinion and thus the position of the portion 43. The actuator 70 is controlled by the control unit 26, and the control unit 26 drives the motor 72 clockwise or counterclockwise to move the portion 43 up or down along the axis 74. The control unit 26 then uses the signal output by the position sensor 75 to determine the position of the portion 43. By using the motor 72 to move the portion 43, relatively good control of the position of the portion 43, and thus of the direction of the combined air flow 80, can be achieved. In addition, the direction of the combined air flow 80 may be remotely controlled. However, the portion 43 may be moved by alternative means, including manual movement by a user.

With the nozzle 30 described above, the movable portion 43 of the first conduit 40 defines the top of the first outlet 42. Fig. 8 shows an alternative nozzle 130, wherein the movable portion 43 defines the bottom of the first outlet 42. In the particular example shown in fig. 8, the movable portion 43 is located at a position midway between the maximum flow position and the minimum flow position. As shown in fig. 8, when the movable portion 43 moves from the maximum flow position, a step is generated between the first outlet 42 and the guide body 60. Thus, the first air flow 45 may adhere to the guide 60 worse than the nozzle 30 shown in fig. 3 to 6 described above.

In each nozzle 30, 130, the direction of the combined air flow 80 is changed by moving only a portion of the first conduit 40. It is envisioned that second conduit 50 may likewise include a movable portion to vary the size of second outlet 52 and thereby vary the flow rate of second air stream 55. This may have the advantage of providing a greater range of movement in the direction of the combined air flow 80. However, it is advantageous to provide the movable part only in the first conduit. For example, the change in direction of the combined air flow 80 may be achieved in a less complex and thus more cost-effective manner. Furthermore, the change in direction of the combined air flow 80 may be achieved in a potentially quieter manner with less leakage and other pressure losses. In particular, since no portion of the second conduit needs to be moved, the second conduit may be shaped such that the turbulence of the second air flow moving through the second conduit is less, thereby reducing noise and pressure losses. Furthermore, a leakage path in the second conduit may be avoided, which might otherwise be present if a portion of the second conduit is movable.

The portion 43 of the first conduit 40 is movable to change only the size of the first outlet 42. That is, the size of the second outlet 52 is not changed by the movement of the portion 43 of the first conduit 40. Thus, the nozzle 30, 130 is significantly different from an arrangement in which a valve or body moves within the nozzle to simultaneously increase restriction in one conduit and decrease restriction in the other conduit.

While particular examples and embodiments have been described, it should be understood that these are illustrative only and that various modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the claims.

Claims

1. A nozzle for a fan assembly, the nozzle comprising:

a first conduit through which a first gas stream moves, the first conduit having a first outlet for discharging the first gas stream; and

a second conduit through which a second gas stream moves, the second conduit having a second outlet for discharging the second gas stream,

wherein:

the first and second outlets are arranged such that the first and second airflows collide to produce a combined airflow having a direction defined by the relative flow rates of the first and second airflows,

the first conduit includes a portion movable to vary the size of the first outlet to vary the flow of the first gas stream, an

The portion is linearly movable along an axis.

2. The nozzle of claim 1, wherein the portion is movable to change a height of the first outlet.

3. The nozzle of claim 1, wherein the first air stream exits on a guide body adjacent a bottom of the first outlet, and the portion defines a top of the first outlet.

4. A nozzle according to any preceding claim, wherein the size of the second outlet is not changed by movement of the portion.

5. A nozzle according to any preceding claim, wherein the first gas stream is discharged from the first outlet along a first flow axis and the axis along which the portion moves is substantially perpendicular to the first flow axis.

6. A nozzle according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the combined gas flow is ejected from the nozzle via an opening provided in a housing of the nozzle, and the axis along which the portion moves is substantially perpendicular to the opening.

7. A nozzle according to any preceding claim, wherein the first and second outlets are arranged such that the first air flow exits along a first flow axis, the second air flow exits along a second flow axis, and the first and second flow axes intersect at an angle between 120 degrees and 160 degrees.

8. A nozzle according to any preceding claim, wherein the portion slides relative to another portion of the first conduit.

9. The nozzle of claim 8 wherein said portion slides over an outer surface of said other portion.

10. A nozzle according to any preceding claim, wherein the nozzle comprises an actuator for moving the portion, the actuator comprising an electric motor.

11. A nozzle for a fan assembly, the nozzle comprising:

wherein:

the first conduit includes a portion that is movable relative to another portion to vary the flow rate of the first air stream, the portion sliding over an outer surface of the other portion.

12. A fan assembly comprising a nozzle according to any preceding claim.

13. The fan assembly of claim 12, wherein the portion is movable between a maximum flow position and a minimum flow position, the combined airflow has a first flow direction when the portion is in the maximum flow position, the combined airflow has a second flow direction when the portion is in the minimum flow position, and the first flow direction and the second flow direction differ by at least 45 degrees.

14. The fan assembly of claim 12 or 13, wherein the portion is movable to a position in which the flow direction of the combined air flow is at an angle of between-10 degrees and +10 degrees relative to a horizontal surface when the fan assembly is resting on the horizontal surface.

15. The fan assembly according to any of claims 12 to 14, wherein the first air flow is discharged in an upward direction from the first outlet and the second air flow is discharged in a downward direction from the second outlet when the fan assembly is resting on a horizontal surface.